Fergie - Fergie MacDonald

Fergie MacDonald is well known for his broadcasts on Gaelic radio in Scotland and Ireland. In addition to regular music slots, he is also in demand as a contributor to BBC Radio Gaidheal's early morning current affairs programme. Fergie MacDonald tells his life story with verve and candour, recounting the circumstances of his early life which introduced him to the rich musical tradition of which he is still a master exponent; his university days in Glasgow and National Service and the years spent touring throughout the United Kingdom and abroad with his band. The 1960s were Fergie's heyday, with the pinnacle of his success occurring in 1966, when "The Loch Maree Islands" hit number one in the Scottish charts. During the 1970s Fergie slipped out of the public eye when his life was beset by personal problems, but instead of glossing over this period, he continues his story frankly, telling of his divorce and the alcoholism that forced him to give up playing and try his hand at other enterprises. It was clay pigeon shooting that finally helped him quit his habit and led him back to playing again.In the late 1980s Fergie the Band Leader was reborn and continues to tour with his players today.